Midnight In Paris

Writer/director Woody Allen has a very prolific career and makes a movie a year. A bigger output than most of his younger contemporaries. However this is the first time in a long while where his film has gotten a wide release here in Australia.

I have been a fan of Woody Allen for a while now but have come to appreciate him more in the last few months. My regular readers will know that I went to see several of his earlier film at the beginning of this year. As a result I've come to love him more. The most interesting thing about this film for me is why this film, of all his previous releases, has been so popular overseas and as a result got a wide release here. It is not all that different from some of his other films and has an all star cast. Perhaps it is the story. Woody has been making several of his more recent films in Europe because they are more popular there so a return on their investment is more likely. This film is his tribute to Paris.

It begins much like his tribute to New York film 'Manhattan', with a series of romantic shots of the city set to jazz. It is a great way to introduce the film and the city in which it is set. This is very much a romantic version of the city. It is beautiful, sweet and delightful. The modern version though is not what excites Woody. He prefers the old 1920's version with its collection of writers and artists. Which is why he has his hero transported back to this era. I'm sure this is what Woody would like to do. The film is delightful in this respect, showing what it would be like if we could visit a time we have dreamed about. Woody is however good at pointing out the folly of having such dreams. There is a problem with the central relationship of the film. Cal and Inez don't seem like the perfect couple despite the fact they are engage to be married. You wonder how they got together. Perhaps this trip to Paris has unearthed some deeper emotions in the relationship.

I don't know what it is but on several occasions when Woody has chosen an actor as his lead they tend to act like him. Owen Wilson does that here. He plays Cal like you would imagine Woody would have if he played the part. This is not a bad thing, just an interesting observation. This is one of Owen's best performances and proves he needs a skilled director to work with. Rachel McAdams is good but is stuck with the thankless role of Cal's fiance who does not like his midnight walks. It would have been nice of she did not fight him so much. Marion Cotillard plays one of the 1920's characters Cal meets and is wonderful. The rest of the cast make good cameo appearances as famous people from that time.

Many of Woody Allen's films do not get a cinema release here so you should take the opportunity while you can. Especially when it is showing in so many cinemas. A nice, light little fantasy if you don't want something heavy and that will make you feel good.